Process and apparatus for reforming a high sulfur-containing liquid fuel

摘要

A reforming process and apparatus exhibiting improved catalyst longevity towards reforming a high sulfur-containing liquid fuel. The process involves contacting in a first reforming zone a first oxidant and a liquid fuel containing high molecular weight organosulfur compounds with a partial oxidation catalyst under CPOX reaction conditions to form a first reformate stream containing a mixture of unconverted and partially-converted hydrocarbons and one or more low molecular weight sulfur compounds; and then contacting in a second reforming zone the first reformate stream with steam and optionally a second oxidant in the presence of an autothermal reforming catalyst under ATR reaction conditions to form a second reformate stream containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen and one or more low molecular weight sulfur compounds. The low molecular weight sulfur compounds can be readily removed from the first and/or second reformate streams by gas phase adsorption methods.

主权项

1. A process of reforming a high sulfur-containing liquid fuel comprising:
(a) feeding a high sulfur-containing liquid fuel feedstock, comprising one or more liquid hydrocarbons and one or more high molecular weight organosulfur compounds such that the liquid fuel feedstock has a sulfur concentration greater than 100 ppmw, into a first reforming zone, and contacting therein said fuel with a first oxidant in the presence of a partial oxidation catalyst under partial oxidation reaction conditions sufficient to obtain a first reformate stream comprising a mixture of unconverted hydrocarbons, partially-converted hydrocarbons, and one or more low molecular weight sulfur compounds; further wherein no steam or water is co-fed into the first reforming zone; and (b) feeding the first reformate stream from step (a) into a second reforming zone, and contacting therein said first reformate stream with steam and a second oxidant in the presence of an autothermal reforming catalyst under autothermal reforming reaction conditions sufficient to obtain a second reformate stream comprising carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and one or more low molecular weight sulfur compounds.